PYONGYANG, North Korea, April 24 (UPI) -- North Korea's Central Broadcasting Station has told listeners that China plans to donate $1.3 million in assistance following the devastating train explosion.
The Korea Times reports that Pyongyang has also requested relief from South Korea.
The North Korean government, one of the most secretive on earth, released no information on Thursday's explosion for hours, while foreign broadcasters were showing satellite footage of a huge cloud of smoke. But the extent of the damage and fears that rumors would be more dangerous than fact has apparently forced officials into unprecedented openness.
The broadcasting station also read letters of condolence from Chinese President Hun Jintao and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
The explosion caused by the collision of two trains a few miles from the Chinese border killed at least 150 people, injured hundreds more and leveled houses and public buildings.
